MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, February 26, 2007

9:00 a.m.

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Monday, February 26, 2007, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Duncan, Chair Senator Tommy Williams, Vice Chair                    Senator John Carona Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Troy Fraser Senator Chris Harris Senator Mike Jackson Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Leticia Van de Putte		None

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:25 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out the committee rules for the Senate State Affairs Committee.  Senator Carona moved adoption of the committee rules, there being no objection the rules were adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out SB 64 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 64 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 90 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 90 do not pass but that CSSB 90 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senators Lucio and Carona asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the committee substitute on SB 90.

 

Senator Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 210 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 210 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 91 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:50 a.m. Senator Williams assumed the chair. 

Senator Williams moved that SB 91 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

The chair laid out SB 175 and recognized Senator Ellis, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

At 10:56 a.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 91.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 91 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senators Carona and Fraser asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 91, without objection it was so ordered.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 175. 

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 175 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senators Carona and Fraser asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 175, without objection it was so ordered.

Senator Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 11:05 a.m. Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Anna Beth White, Clerk